Cataract surgery has a fast recovery rate with only a few restrictions to contend with. With the day of surgery excepted, no bed rest is required. Most patients can return to normal activities the following day.
Go with it. Sleeping a lot is how your body heals itself. Plenty of rest in the days following your procedure will speed up your recovery time.
Most people can do very light exercise the day after surgery, including walking. For activities like biking, running, tennis, golf and sex, wait one week after your procedure. If you are a swimmer, doctors advise you to wait two weeks before going in the water to minimize your risk of infection and irritation.
“High eye pressure can interfere with the incision before it fully heals,” says Eghrari. “Positions that put your head below your waist, such as bending over, can also increase eye pressure and should be avoided initially after surgery.”
Any discomfort and tenderness from the surgery will settle within a few days and you can begin with some light to moderate exercise such as walking or stretching. You shouldn't carry out exercise which involves putting your head below your waist, as bending down can put strain and pressure on your eyes.
The eye needs to rest and not be under pressure. This involves not swimming for two weeks, not engaging in any heavy lifting for two weeks and not undertaking any strenuous exercise for 1 month. Also, limit the number of times you bend over to minimise any strain on the eye.
It is very common to have blurry or unclear vision in the days and sometimes even weeks after cataract removal. Most of the time, this is caused by normal swelling in the eye which occurs as a part of surgery. Patients with larger, denser and/or firmer cataracts are more likely to experience more inflammation.
Cystoid Macular Edema
CME is the most frequent complication after an uncomplicated cataract surgery. Its peak incidence is about 6 to 8 weeks post-operatively.
You can read or watch TV right away, but things may look blurry. Most people are able to return to work or their normal routine in 1 to 3 days. After your eye heals, you may still need to wear glasses, especially for reading. This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover.
Take Care of Laundry and Other Chores Ahead of Time
These activities can increase pressure in the eye, so it's best to avoid them.
Fatigue is normal following surgery and should improve day after day as your body begins to heal itself. Some people have it worse than others due to age, health, and the type of surgery they had, but with time and proper care, most will be able to build up their strength and energy levels.
take it easy for the first 2 to 3 days. use your eye shield at night for at least a week.
Patients with a dislocated IOL may experience a decrease or change in vision, diplopia, and/or glare. Additionally, they may report ocular pain or headaches from intermittent angle-closure and/or inflammation. Some patients also report seeing the edge of the IOL.
If you're unable to get hold of them, visit your local optometrist or GP, or go to a hospital emergency. Red flags include: Loss of vision, whether increasing blur or entire areas of black/grey in your visual field. Any discharge from the eye.
Simple diversions like reading, watching TV, writing, and walking are okay to resume as soon as you feel up for it after your eye surgery. Still, the healing process needs to run its course and vision may fluctuate slightly for the first few weeks before fully stabilizing.
1-3 days after the procedure: in the first 24-72 hours following your surgery, you'll likely experience blurry vision or double vision. It's not uncommon for patients to experience aching and tenderness while their eyes begin to heal.
In the first day or two after cataract surgery
Your vision will seem hazy as your pupil will remain dilated for 24-48 hours after cataract surgery. Sunlight and artificial light will seem a lot brighter than normal as the dilated pupil lets in lots of light.
Some Don'ts: Things to Avoid
Avoiding eating and drinking before your surgery. Don't wear makeup to the surgery appointment, and avoid wearing makeup until your ophthalmologist allows it so that you can better prevent infection. Avoid getting irritants in your eyes.
Yes, after cataract surgery, you need to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun. After surgery, your eyes are healing and are more sensitive to the sun's rays than usual. Anytime you go outside, you need to wear sunglasses. Whether it's raining or sunny, the sun is giving off damaging UV rays.
Once the shield has been removed you are safe to take a shower and wash your hair once you return home from our office on the day after surgery. Just please do so carefully, and try to avoid getting soap, dirty water, or forceful sprays of water in the eye for the first few days after surgery.
Same Day At Home. Resume your normal walking, climbing of stairs, avoid strenuous activity and no lifting greater than 20 pounds for the first 7-10 days. Resume any medication you were taking from other doctors as ordered when you get home. Your eye may feel scratchy and itchy.
Those looking for a more budget-friendly option might choose Optix 55 Wraparound Night Driving Glasses to reduce headlight glare and improve vision clarity while driving or operating machinery. LensCovers offers polarized wraparound sunglasses that provide 100% UV protection.
Don't: Eat or Drink Right Before the Surgery
While under sedation, there is a chance of stomach acid going into your lungs, which can cause damage.
Most people feel little or no pain during or after cataract surgery. You'll receive a topical anesthetic (eye drops) to numb your eye during the surgery. Shortly after surgery, your eye may feel gritty or slightly tender, but over-the-counter pain medicine should improve this.